With the benefit of hind-sight, Colin Craney reviews a project he managed over 30 years ago in his latest Elevator World article ‘History Revisited’.
Designed by Henry Tanner, and built in 1891, the former Head Post Office in Birmingham’s Victoria Square was to undergo a change of purpose to a modern, office building.
The brief was basic: anything could be changed so long as it did not encroach upon the visual aesthetic of the lift and stairwell. The lift had not functioned for many years and was equipped with a DC mains electrical supply motor (Image 2) and collapsible gates, so this appeared to be a tall order.
Colin takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane and considers this lift modernisation project in line with the technology and approaches we benefit from today.
He talks about the fascinating structure and engineering of a lift that would now be a 100-years old and how this impacted the steps that were taken to bring this historic lift into the modern era.
The lift car and counterweight are the original equipment and, unusually for an installation of this age, operate in “T” profile guide rails. The car has the original serrated cam safety gear, with a Dewhurst overspeed governor located at the top of the lift shaft replacing the original Dewhurst governor.
Are you intrigued to find out how the 30-year old lift modernisation faired? Click the article below to find out:
Colin Craney has 42 years of industry experience, initially in a number of field and management roles with Otis, followed by 17 years in consulting, currently for SVM Associates. Colin is a U.K. chartered engineer and a fellow of CIBSE, European engineer, chartered safety and health practitioner, accredited consultant on the HSE Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register and a member of the Chartered Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Colin is a barrister, having been called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
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